Ventilation - Masters boxes

Last year I had my power supplies and controllers inside and ran my cables out to lights. It worked fine but this year I need to have them outside nearer to my lights. I have the Masters $10 boxes that I bought last year and didn't use. I am a little concerned about ventilation/heat build up. All of my power supplies will only be running around 50%. I bought some of these from RS components. They will provide a little ventilation, but not much. Am I (literally) playing with fire by only providing such a small ventilation hole? I plan to have 2 on each box.

Attached Files:

Are your boxes out in the weather? For my ones I've cut a hole in the top left hand side and screwed an exhausing fan to it, and I'm going to leave the 'glands' out of the bottom for the air to enter. I wouldn't be putting mine out in the open weather though (they'll be under eaves / verandah's).

I can't really tell how large the openings are, but if you left the rubber out of the bottom of the case, and put both these vents toward the top of your enclosure it may work in your favour.

short answer is yes.
also please be aware masters boxes are not waterproof. they dont seal properly.

You either need big waterproof vents for convection to be able to work. Or you will need forced cooling (fans)
I use a 40mm pipe elbow and a floor flange from bunnings to give my enclosures snouts. this allows them to breathe and still be waterproof.

The enclosures will be mounted to the underside of our balcony and I intend to have them set as far back as possible (approx. 1.8mtrs) from the edge. They won't be directly in the weather at all. My main concern is our proximity to the beach. We live a stone's throw from the beach and the Nor' Easters blow most afternoons during summer - a lot of salty moisture in the air.
Franky, pics would be great.

My main concern is our proximity to the beach. We live a stone's throw from the beach and the Nor' Easters blow most afternoons during summer - a lot of salty moisture in the air.

Click to expand...

I'd say any form of active cooling is going to be bad for your stuff in that environment!

Here's the pics as promised. I dremeled off two of the support ribs, then mounted the fan. Note how the side of the case has been pulled out of line slightly due to the fan's installation. I think this has more to do with my method of installation than the fact the fan is mounted, but as it stands currently this enclosure will remain undercover.